Classic George Carlin bit. Everybody going faster than you is a maniac and everybody going slower than you is an idiot.

I always kinda wonder about this. Why? If you’re alone on a highway what difference does it make to cruise in the left lane vs the middle?

“What if I’m in the middle lane and come up on someone slower than me?” You hop left, pass, and then hop back to mid.

“What if I’m in the left lane and someone comes up behind me going faster?” You hop right, let them pass, and then hop back left.

Feels identical. So why so many people cruise in the left is kinda confusing to me. Just going against the rules of the road for funzies?

Personally I zone out so I cruise in the middle in case I don’t notice the person in my rear view. Also easier to notice coming up on someone ahead of me than some speed demon in the rear view.

Hard agree. Only caveat: don’t friggin travel in the left lane unless you’re passing. Don’t care how fast or slow you’re going. Left lane is for going around. Middle/right lane is for cruising. If everyone’s obeying that rule then there’s no reason to tailgate (not that you should do that anyway. But it does induct you into the assholes club right along with the tailgater)

I’m always a little bummed when stoicism comes up. For some reason people always characterize it as “try not to feel things”. But first, that’s kinda twisting the intention. And second, it’s only a third of the whole philosophy.

Everywhere, at each moment, you have the option: to accept this event with humility [will]; to treat this person as [s]he should be treated [action]; to approach this thought with care, so that nothing irrational creeps in [perception];

The serenity prayer more closely resembles the core idea than what most people focus on. Compare the above quote with it.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

If something is outside of your control, don’t let it turn you bitter. If there is action you can take to treat those around you justly, you must do so. And then to do these things effectively takes knowledge, wisdom, and (I would argue) empathy.

But nah. Modern take: stoicism = real men shove emotions down. Bleh.